Written by

Joanne O?Sullivan

In Portland, Ore., the relentless rain doesn't stop crowds from lining up outside the door for 30 minutes or more for the chance to buy Voodoo Doughnuts.

That's the "destination doughnut store" credited with reinventing the doughnut in 2003 with wild flavors and R-rated shapes topped with sassy sayings in icing. From Portland, the doughnut took off, and last year, the James Beard Foundation named the "global doughnut" as one of the year's top food trends to watch.

Moving beyond over-the-top "shock doughnuts," with flavors such as bubble gum-dusted or foie gras-filled (available for $11 a ...